Gloves off for Abu Dhabi showdown

ABU DHABI // The best fighters from around the world will battling it out for a Dh1 million bounty in the capital next month. The winner-takes-all mixed martial arts (MMA) Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship was launched last night when the line-up of combatants for the tournament was announced.

"We have selected the world's best and they have been paired by an expert panel on their current form and rankings," said Soheil Nemri, the chief executive of I SEE Events. "These are open categories in which the height and weight don't matter. It is about the best combined fighting skills." And the fighters are already up for the challenge. "It's going to be a big war" said Poland's Przemyslaw Mysiala last night. "That is a lot of money and there is absolutely no need to say anything more to a fighter. It is very simple. You need to beat up all your opponents to get that prize and I am ready for it."

Mysiala, the Ultimate Warrior Extreme Brawl champion, will face Briton Neil Wain, the Ultimate Force heavyweight champion, in one of the quarter-finals in the opening round on May 14 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Marcos Oliveira, the Abu Dhabi-based Brazilian, was already playing mind games with Johan Romming, his French opponent and the 100 Percent Fight champion. "You just come well prepared," said the Pan American jiu jitsu champion, to which the Frenchman replied. "I have been doing that ever since I received the invite and it's you who need to be ready for the me. I am after the money and I can't wait to get my hands on it."

Jeff Monson, the American, is pitted against Russia's Shamil Abdurahimov and Marcio Cruz, of Brazil, faces Sergei Kharitonov of Russia. "The MMA is a mixed martial art and it's about discipline in fighting," said Nemri. "These factors make this sport more than mindless fighting and brawling." There are six other bouts lined up on the day including a face-off between the Emirati Hassan al Rumaithi, a black belt in judo, and Italy's Massimiliano Pecchia.

apassela@thenational.ae

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Why the Tourist Club?

Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.

In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.

It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.

Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.

Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.

Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.